THE SOUTH ASIAN VECTOR OF CHINA’S FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY: INSTRUMENTS FOR REALISING NATIONAL INTERESTS AND THE STRUGGLE FOR REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

Abstract

The analysis of the South Asian region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) in the context of ensuring national security was carried out and it was investigated that the interests of individual countries in the region may contradict the common interests of the region as a whole in the field of security. The key features of the South Asian region were noted, in particular, Indocentricity (India occupies a central place both geographically and in terms of socio-cultural continuity, imperial and colonial history, and economic infrastructure); asymmetry and hierarchy of the power structure; ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of regions in the Indo-Pacific region. The document outlines security challenges in South Asia, classified into seven categories: geopolitics, unresolved territorial conflicts, open borders, terrorism and extremism, climate and environmental issues, and economic security. It highlights key provisions that will contribute to strengthening security in South Asia, including adherence to the principles of the UN Charter; respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries; attention to security issues that are important to other countries; focus on economic integration through development, development of transport links, and integration; prioritization of real problems of the population: poverty alleviation, economic security, food and energy security, climate change, vocational training and education, technology, trade, and investment; dialogue and diplomacy should be the best way to solve common problems; and promotion and strengthening of people-to-people ties. The author notes the growing influence of China in the region under study, which has transformed from a purely economic partnership into strategic and military dominance through the implementation of a policy of «soft power» that extends far beyond the borders of the South Asian region, and to Ukraine in particular. The author mentions the «string of pearls» strategy used by China, which involves strengthening and strengthening influence on countries territorially located on the route of oil supplies to China (where the «pearl» is a port or naval base (Pakistan (Gwadar provides direct access to the Arabian Sea bypassing Southeast Asia), Sri Lanka (Hambantota), Bangladesh (Chittagong), ports in Myanmar). It is emphasised that, in the future, such actions will enable China to use partner countries’ civilian infrastructure for military purposes.